- Trump was reportedly moved to a smaller military aircraft during his Turkey-to-Britain trip
- The secret switch was allegedly prompted by an Iranian assassination threat
- The older Air Force One reportedly served as a decoy during the operation
U.S. President Donald Trump was secretly moved from Air Force One to a smaller military aircraft during a flight from Turkey to Britain last month after an alleged credible assassination threat from Iran, according to reports by The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the unusual security operation reportedly took place after Trump attended a NATO summit in Ankara.
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Although journalists and members of the White House staff believed the president was travelling aboard the older Air Force One, Trump was allegedly transferred through an airport catering truck to an Air Force C-32A before departing for Britain.
Trump had initially arrived in Turkey aboard a newly refurbished Boeing 747 donated by Qatar. However, he announced before leaving Ankara that he would instead travel on the older blue-and-white Air Force One, saying he was using it “for old time’s sake.”
According to The Washington Post, Trump boarded the older aircraft in front of cameras before being discreetly taken away in a catering vehicle. He was then transferred to the smaller C-32A, which continued the journey to Britain.
The operation was reportedly designed to conceal Trump’s actual location from potential attackers. The older Air Force One effectively served as a decoy, with reporters travelling aboard the aircraft unaware that the president was no longer on board.
Journalists were reportedly instructed to keep the window shades in the press section closed during the flight. When questioned about the unusual restriction, Trump later suggested that the flight was potentially dangerous.
The C-32A carrying the president reportedly arrived in Britain at about 10:20 p.m., shortly before the older Air Force One landed with members of the travelling media.
It remained unclear how Trump was subsequently transferred back to the older Air Force One. His press pool reported seeing him descend the stairs of the aircraft at about 10:56 p.m., where he briefly acknowledged reporters before greeting U.S. military personnel stationed at the base.
The revelation has raised fresh questions about Trump’s security arrangements, particularly amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran.
The White House defended the security measures, saying the president faces threats from individuals and groups seeking to harm him and that the administration uses available resources to protect him and his staff.
White House Communications Director Steve Cheung said the Qatar-donated aircraft had been equipped with advanced security systems designed to protect the president and his team.
The Pentagon had not immediately commented on the reported operation.
The security deception reportedly bears similarities to a strategy used by former President Bill Clinton in 2000, when an unmarked executive aircraft was used to secretly transport him into Pakistan while an official Air Force One aircraft served as a decoy.
Trump’s latest trip also marked the first international journey involving the newly refurbished Qatar-donated aircraft. The Boeing 747 was given to the United States by Qatar last year and is being modified by defence contractor L3Harris Technologies for presidential use.
The aircraft is expected to serve as a temporary presidential plane while Boeing continues work on the next-generation Air Force One aircraft, which has faced significant delays.
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